On September 6th I completed my first ever half marathon in Virginia Beach. This is one of four races that I will run this year for EndDD.org, working with Travelers Insurance Company to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving. Travelers will be donating $100 for every mile run by three to four runners on the EndDD.org team.

I finished the race a bit quicker than I had anticipated, just over two and one-half hours. The energy from the event helped fuel me – the thousands who were running, the rock and roll music along the course, the bands that were playing, the throngs of local folks cheering us on along the entire 13 miles and the enthusiastic volunteers manning water stops and spraying us with lawn hoses to cool us down during the last 2 miles of the race.

There were a lot of smiles as runners crossed the finish line in addition to raised arms, fist pumps and high fives with everyone feeling good about what they had accomplished. For me though, it was different.

I ran because my daughter Casey was killed by a distracted driver. Yes, I was proud that at age 60 I had trained for and completed a 13 mile race. But I had no smile, did not feel the least bit happy and was filled with emotion once I crossed that finish line. I was fighting back tears and missing Casey. I was struggling with how I as a father, am living and achieving when my child is dead – planning for more races, more distracted driving talks, knowing that I have a future when Casey has none. I felt different from the other runners, down and lonely and not wanting any congratulations.

David Kidd (R), Michele Brycleand and Joel Feldman the day before the race

But, that changed when I “ran into” Michele Bryceland and David Kidd, two local runners who had agreed to run the race on the EndDD.org team. Shelby and David are competitive runners and recent graduates of Virginia Wesleyan College and still hold cross country records for the school. I met them for the first time the day before and instantly connected with them. David shared that he was also born in 1988, the same year as Casey, and how he felt an instant bond with her. Shelby told me how she had taken the time to learn about Casey and was so proud to be running for our cause. They also had shared that they were driving safer as a result of learning about Casey and how she was killed.

Seeing them and feeling their energy and support, knowing that they were part of our team and that Casey’s story had affected them in a very positive way did make me smile. It made me feel that something good was coming from all that we are doing and, in a sense, gave me permission to enjoy the moment and to accept congratulations for what I had just accomplished. It was icing on the cake when they then volunteered to come to Philadelphia and run again for our EndDD.org team in October’s half marathon.

Then another team member came into my view. It was Laura Carney, who will also be running in the New York City Marathon in November in support of EndDD . Laura’s father “Mick” was killed by a distracted driver in 2003.

Laura Carney after the race

Laura said, “I felt like I was a part of something much, much bigger than me, knowing that my run was raising so much money and that the people running behind me could see the message on the shirt I was wearing. At the finish line, as I was collecting bananas and chocolate milk, I held my medal up away from the EndDD logo, because I wanted the spectators to see what we were running for. It was a very humbling feeling, getting the chance to make a difference.”

And for me at that point it was all worth it. I could experience some joy as I was reassured that Casey’s life is continuing to make a difference through the help of such fine people as Laura, Michele and David and the support of Travelers Insurance Company.

*Joel Feldman is the father of the late Casey Feldman and founder of the Casey Feldman Foundation and its sponsored project, EndDD.org. He has been a practicing attorney for 34 years and a shareholder in the law firm of Anapol Schwartz in Philadelphia. He received a masters in counseling in 2013 and speaks throughout the U.S. and Canada to teens and adults, changing attitudes and behaviors through the science based, End Distracted Driving program. Joel also provides death notification training to law enforcement and the medical community. Joel can be reached at Info@EndDD.org.

What people are saying about the presentations:

“ No more phone out in the car for me. I told my kids they would not be seeing me using the phone in the car again. ”— Mary Zambri, Executive Director, Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington D.C.

“Normally I start texting as soon as I get in my car after the game, but after the talk today, I am not texting when I get in my car and leaving the wrist band in my car as a reminder”— from a cheerleader at University High School, Baton Rouge LA.

“These presentations have been a wonderful combination of thought-provoking conversations, videos, student participation, and quality information sharing … On a personal note, every year after the presentation, I have walked away with a renewed passion for life, and for making incremental changes in the way I live and drive. I strongly recommend that schools and other organizations engage in this influential assembly.”— John Perella Headmaster, Medford High School, Medford, MA

“It was a fabulous presentation, well organized and certainly a most important topic that needs to be addressed in this fast moving technological world of ours. The girls thoroughly enjoyed hearing from all of the presenters and told me how much “it made them think”. One of the teachers told me yesterday that he thought it was the best assembly that we have had!” —Chris Kaiser, Dean of Students, Notre Dame Prep, Towson, MD

"I'm continuing to hear excellent feedback from both faculty and students. Many students are telling me that they really enjoyed the interaction, and that you're an alum. A lot of teachers are telling me that the message was right on point. I actually received two emails from teachers over the weekend that said they are now thinking twice when driving!" —Christopher Romero, Central Catholic High School, Lawrence, MA

“[Thank you to John McKiggan for speaking to ] our Grade 9 students. Your message of the awful consequences of distracted driving was heard by our students and staff. The videos really engaged them and made them think. The demonstration of a distracted driver and what students/passengers can say was perfect! Many students returned the sheets and I therefore know they had a conversation with their parents/guardians.”— J.W. Halifax, Nova Scotia.

“ I presented to 450 sophomores at my alma mater, St. Xavier High School, in Cincinnati, the largest, all boys Jesuit high school in the US. It was a grand success and I had a wonderful time... the President and development director have already asked me back next year. The energy and feedback were incredible and powerful.”— Mark Kitrick. Esq Cincinnati, OH.

“ Prevention is ultimately the primary "cure" for the devastating injuries we see. This message has the potential to prevent many of the pediatric spinal cord injuries that happen in this country; this message needs to be delivered and acted upon. ”—Occupational Therapist, Shriner’s Hospital, Philadelphia.

“WOW! What a refreshing experience! Today is one of those days where you feel good about what you do and even better about what you have done knowing that you might just have saved a life. The kids were really excited and participation was excellent. One of the most rousing responses came when I fessed-up to being a distracted driver in my past. I made the confession in my opening remarks and it was smooth sailing from there. ”— George Boath, Esq. Stratford CT

“ I just presented to Nichols School's Upper School students and feel completely charged from the experience. The kids loved the message and the faculty couldn't have appreciated it more. It's great to volunteer with this incredible initiative.”—John Bair, Milestone Consulting, LLC, Buffalo, NY.

“ In a few days, I’m getting my license and I’m not going to be a distracted driver. My mom will text and drive a lot and it freaks me out. If something is that important, have the passenger text for you. ” —Gabby

“ I spoke at Andrew Jackson Senior High in Jacksonville, Florida. One young lady, watching the bus driver filling out papers and driving with his knees, said “My mama does that.” (Frankly, that surprised me.) She became my assistant, holding the microphone up to the AV equipment so it could be heard by everyone. The teachers stayed in the auditorium and were very pleased with the level of participation. ”—Wayne Hoganl, Esq, Jacksonville, FL

“ I spoke to several students about the role-play scenario you did on stage, and they all agreed they find it difficult to confront their parents about texting while driving. Thank you so much for bringing such a poignant issue to our community. I work with teenagers all day, so I know that decision making is often very difficult for them. Your compassionate and thoughtful presentation has changed behaviors. ” —Joel Dankoff, Student Council Advisor Friends' Central School, Wynnewood, PA

“ After the presentation a student came up to me and thanked me for coming to the school. He then shared that his parent had killed someone when driving distracted. He shared his feelings from the perspective of a young man who watched the aftermath of the tragedy his parent caused and indicated how that changed his parent’s driving behaviors and how that has affected this young man—who does not drive distracted now. ”— Chris Marzzacco, Esq. Harrisburg, PA

“ Went great! [Spoke to] sixty students from the alternative high school. Looking forward later this month when we hit all 5 of the area public and private high schools. The program is certain to change behaviors and the way that people look at distracted driving. We made a definite impact on our students, but I think we also got the attention of the teachers who saw the presentation. Thanks again for your help, and for putting this program together.”— Mike Williams, Esq. Fargo, ND

“ Young people often are reluctant to speak up because they do not have the words to do so. The role play scenarios empower young people by providing them with the tools to advocate for themselves when they are put in an unsafe situation such as driving with an individual who is distracted. ” — Mark Fifer, The Haverford School, Haverford, PA

“ I felt when the young drivers were sharing their own poor choices this was very helpful to the cause—the students were pretty attentive; participated and shared experiences; and were respectful. I wasn’t sure at first if they’d open up, but they did. I should add that the videos about Mr. Feldman’s daughter and the sister speaking of her text to her older sister at the time of a fatal wreck were powerful and made a true impact on the kids. ”—Tim Pickell, Esq Westwood, Kansas

“ The presentation made me realize that all those little things while driving make a big difference. When you are driving distracted you not only put your life at risk but everyone around you. I want to do something to stop these deaths and it has to start with myself. I’m going to make an effort to not let myself be distracted and to let others know too. ” — Morgan

“ Seeing the pink EndDD.org bracelets on my daughter’s (now 6&7 years old) tiny wrists was a surprisingly powerful reminder that it only takes a moment to change your life, and perhaps take someone else's. I would look into their eyes and very quickly think... there is simply nothing more important to me than these girls. No email, text, bite of a cheeseburger or any other momentary distraction compares to them - the comparison itself is beyond ridiculous, so why would I take such a risk. That was all it took. I put the cell phone down and stopped eating in the car, no more checking printed directions while driving, etc. I know that I am now a safer driver for these reasons. ” — Aaron Brown, Authentic 3d Summit, NJ

“ Yesterday after school my mom was texting while she was driving and I told her to put her phone away whenever the kids are in the car. And now this morning she left her phone at home when she was driving us to school. Thanks for saving lives! ” —Alfaro

“ I thought it was a really powerful assembly. She wasn’t there to yell at us, but rather spoke from experience about how terrible distracted driving can be. ” —Amanda Librizzi, Manasquan NJ

“ Young people understand, deeply, that cell phone us while driving needs to be "de-normalized" and even stigmatized. Young people want to be supported and encouraged in using their voices to "speakup" to others, including their parents, when they feel unsafe about distracted driving. They need information, support and encouragement from us to do this. ”—Scott Blumenshine, Esq. Chicago, IL

“ Getting into a car or bus with anyone who is not a concentrated driver is putting yourself at risk no matter how experienced the driver may be. And you should let the person know that you don’t feel safe and offer to text for them or ask them to put their phone, makeup, IPod anything that is the distraction away. It can happen to anyone. ” — Hanna

Students & Drivers So Far

400,000

EndDD.org’s Awareness Initiative has reached more than 400,000 in 45 states and several Canadian provinces.